Buckle strap assembling machine



Feb. 25, 1947. F FERTITTA 2,416,437

BUCKLE STRAP ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 2o, 1946 5 sheets-sheet l./Tat.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 25, 1947'.`

F. FERTITTA- BUCKLEV STRAP ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 2o, 194e Feb.25, 1947.

I F. FERTITTA BUCKLE STRAP ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1946 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 25, 1947 UNITED sTATEsf PATENT OFFICEg 13Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for as- I sembling a strap into abuckle of the type which is provided with a center bar.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, buckle straps have been inserted intobuckles of the type above mentioned by inserting the ends of the bucklestrap manually through the space provided on opposite sides of thecenter bar. This manual operation is not only tedious but often resultsin improperly placed straps, particularly where the strap material isrelatively short. For example, if it be desired to attach a buckle to agarment, a piece of fabric of the same material from which the garmentis made may be formed into a short strap by sewing or folding it andthis short strap, just a few inches long, may then be inserted throughthe buckle, after which the two ends of the strap are sewed together atsome suitable place upon the garment. This invention is concerned onlywith a strap which retains the buckle on the garment and not with a.strap which engages with the serrated teeth on the buckle or with anyother fastening means that may be provided on the buckle.

While the form of the. strap used in connection with this invention issubject. to some variation, it is contemplated that a preformed strap ofwidth adapted for insertion through the buckle may be used or a piece offabric triple that width may be employed. In the event that the triplewidth is used, the machine Will form the fabric into three folds andthereafter -insert it through the buckle. In the illustrated embodimentI have shown how the triple width may be employed.

. The general object of the invention is to provide means forautomatically inserting a buckle strap through a buckle and thereafterdischarging the assembled buckle and strap from the ma-v chine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for first folding apiece of fabric in the shape of the buckle strap desired and thereafterinserting it through a center bar buckle strap and discharging theassembled strap and buckle from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified andaccurately operating mechanism for folding a piece of fabric into adesired buckle strap, inserting the folded strap through a buckle onopposite sides of the center bar of the buckle so that equal lengths ofthe strap embrace the center bar.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter described into which may be placed a buckle having a. vcenterbar and 2 a pre-cut piece of hat fabric, and causing the machine firstto fold the fabric into a desired arrangement and thereafter to force itthrough the buckle with equal lengths of the strap on opposite sides Vofthe center bar.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be alluded tohereinafter or will become apparent upon a reading of the specification.For the purpose of illustrating the nature of the invention and themanner of using it a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenselected for illustration.

Figure l is a front elevation showing a machine made in accordance withthis invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same machine; l

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of aportion of the operative parts of the machine showing a' bucklepositioned in the machine and a piece of fabric ready for the foldingoperation;

Figure 4 is a view partly in section showing the fabric folded and inthe process of being inserted through the buckle;

Figure 5 is a view partly in section showing the buckle strap completelyinserted through the buckle, and showing in dotted lines the dischargingof the assembled strap and buckle from the machine;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail View showing a step in the operation offolding the strap;

Figure 7 is another view showing a succeeding step in the operation offolding the strap; and

Figure 8 shows the strap and buckle completely assembled, after theirdischarge from the machine.

Referring further to the drawing a base I is shown having mountedthereon a frame 2 for supporting the vertically movable rods 3 and vli,the latter being connected by means of pin 5 to a foot pedal 6 which maybe pivotally mounted upon a bracket 'l on the floor adjacent themachine. While motor driven means or other means for operating themachine may be employed the pedal herein illustrated is adequate to showthe l v 9 such as is shown in Figure 8. As these buckles ture I mount apair of plates II and I2, hinged at I3 andV I4.. for supporting on theiropposed marginsV the edges I and I6 of the buckle, particularly as shownin Figure 5. The downwardly extending serrated edges I1 and I8 of thebuckle will clear the edges of the supporting plates, as indicated, andthe center bar I9, embraced by the strap in Figure 8 will, of course,lie midway between the opposing edges of the supporting.r plates.

In order that these plates may yield against a pressure whichdischargesL the buckle I provide each plate with a lateral extensionsuch as 20, to which the coil springs 2| and 22 maybe f connected, theupper ends of thespringsbeing suitably anchored on the machine onbracketssuch as 23, to hold the buckle supporting plates snugly againstthe under side of the aperturedv plate 8.

Suitably spaced above the'base plate 8 I provide a pair of strapsupporting plates 24 and 25, each having such a width, as indicated inFigure 'l that the fabric may be wrapped aboutit 1in-three foldedsections to produce the strap shown in Figure 8. These strap supportingmembers may be mounted as shown in Figure 5 with their ends extendinginto the cylinders 26 and '2-1 in which there are provided the posts 28each of the strap supporting plates.

vAs indicated in Figure 3, apiece of fabric is laid upon the two plates24 andv 25. To produce a strap of about the proportions shown vin Figure8, the piece of fabric utilized will be rectangular in shape, its widthbeing substantially three times Ythe width of the plates about which thefabric lis wrapped, and its length may be in accordance Vwith the totallength desired in the strap.

VFor wrapping the strap I provide a head 3| which slidably surrounds theshaft 3, so that the shaft may, at the proper time, move relatively tothe head. A short spring 32 abutting against the top of the wrappinghead and against'the `boss 33 will constantly urge this head'downwardlyagainst an enlarged shoulder 34 provided at Athe lower end of shaft 3.

Carried on the flanges 35 and 36 ofthe head Vare a pair of rock shaftssuch as 31 `each of which has fixed thereon a pair of wrapping plates,those at the rear being numbered r38 and '39. A torsion spring 40mounted on each vshaft A,31 in an accustomed manner yoperates on theshaft to normally hcld the wrapping plates -in the distended positionwhich'they occupy at rest, as shown-inY Figure 2.

It should be noted,`at this point, that the wrapping plates on the tworock-shafts may be vof slightly different dimensionsyor so pivotedthatthe plates ron one shaft may be rotated inside of the pair of plates onthe other shaft, whichr condition isindicated in Figure 7. The twoplates on the rear shaft are marked 38 and 33 while the front platesonthe front shaft are indicated as 4I and 42. Y

'In order to rotate 'the Ywrapping plates during the wrapping operationI extend each'shaft 'such 4 as 31 beyond the ends of the wrapping head3|, and proportion and shape its ends so that during the downward travelof the wrapping head these extensions will engage the tops of thecylinders 26 and 21. The extensions on one shaft will be shapeddifferently than those on the other in order to cause one plate to startwrapping before the other does. For example, in Figure 2 it is loapparent that the extensionz43 connected with in advance of theextension 44 on the rear shaft, bringing about the consecutive operationof the wrapping plates indicated in Figures 6 and '7.

Accordingly when the operator depresses the foot pedal, shaft 4 willpull down shaft 3 andthe spring 32 will cause the wrapping head tofollow the shoulder 34 at the lower end of shaft 3. The operating finger43 will strike the cylinder 21 slightly in advance of the operatingfinger 44 and cause Vthe two forward plates 4I and 42 to start wrappingthe forwardlyextending edgeof4 the fabric F in the manner shown invFigure 6, and immediately thereafter the wrapping plate at therearbegins to fold up the rear edge of the fabric. As the operationcontinues these plates will'bring the two folds snugly Vup underneaththe fabric supporting plate.

In order that no cut longitudinal edge of the fabric shall be exposedafter the strap is formed I cause one cut edge to be coveredV because ofits position as the middle ply and the other parallel cut edge to lieinside of the fold strap by making the folded plies narrower than thetop or' outside ply. j 1 e After the fabric is wrapped around these Aresiliently mounted plates 24 and 25 the folded strap should next bedelivered ,to a position closer to the top of the buckle for theinsertion operation which next follows. That step in the operation lisbest shown in Figure 4.

As the wrapping head 3| moves downwardly in response to the action ofthe pedal 6, the shaft 3 is likewise being lowered and the blades 45 and46 which are formed integrally thereon will likewise move down, and willstrike the folded fabric intermediate the opposing edges of thesupporting plates 24 and 25. However, in the meantime, the shouldercorners 41 and 48 on blocks 30 of the wrapping heads will strike thesupporting plates 24 and 25`and causethem to bend downwardly asindicated in Figure '4. time the blades 45 and 46 follow the foldedfabric and as the parts approach the position shown in Figure 4 theseblades will insert the folded strapthrough the buckle, on opposite sidesrof the center bar I9. Inasmuch .asthe .folded fabric ls 4not positivelygripped by teeth, prongs or any other such device, it is free Itirs'lideoff the supporting plates ,24 and 25 and deesse, being drawn Yoff by theblades 45 and 46 in the"manner indicated'by dotted lines in Figurefl.'The operation then continuesV until the' ends of the ,fabric areentirely forced through the buckle as, jshcwn'ln full lines in lFigure5. f"

As the rod 3 reaches thedcwer end of lits full stroke, to attainthe'position slhownf'in Figure 5 in dotted lines, the part ,of the rodbetween lthe blades 45 and 46fwill'V engage the center bar and push thebuckle downvS/ardly',- as indicated by dot- 70 ted lines, in Figure 5,and dislodge it from its vsupy port vby vthe buckle supportingplate'sfll and I2, which yield downwardly under during this action. Thebuckle, with the strap retained in it,

K as .shown in Figure 8, may then fall into a deliv- `75`-erychuteor*receptacle.V I

the front shaft will strike 'the cylinder 21 slightlyV In the mean- VThesprings 29 which support the fabric 'sup'- porting plates need not bevery strong, and preferably are rather weak, allowing the plates toyield easily at the proper time but restoringthem to their horizontalposition when the operation is completed.

While the release of the buckle mightA be accomplished by other means, Ifind the means employed to be especially satisfactory as the "blades 45and 46 hold the strap snugly about the center bar until thebuckle iscompletely discharged from the machine.v

The machine is constructed so that when the fabric is placedeithermanually or automatically upon the supporting plates 24 and 25,symmetrically over the buckle, it will be folded symmetrically and equal`portions of it will be inserted through the buckle. This isadvantageous where it is desired to sew the two free ends of the strapsimultaneously upon the garment, perhaps into a seam, as is often donein actual practice, when utilizing this invention.

The springs 41 and 48 shown in Figure 2, held under compression betweenthe ends of the cross bar 49 and the bosses 33 and 50 are provided forthe purpose of restoring all parts of the machine to normal positionafter the operator releases the foot pedal. The set screws I and 52 maybe used for adjustment of the compression of springs 41 Vand 48.

vWhile I have shown how a piece of cloth may be folded into threesections and thereafter inserted into a buckle, I may also use themachine without the folding apparatus merely for inserting a pre-formedstrap into the buckle.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it'should be understood that the invention is susceptible ofconsiderable variation and modification and that all such variationswithin the scope of the appended claims are intended to be covered.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising means for supporting andretaining a buckle provided with a center bar, said means Abeing movableto free said buckle, a pair of fabric supporting members mounted abovethe position of the buckle in spaced apart position relatively to eachother, means for yieldably supporting said fabric supporting members,means for wrapping said fabric about said fabric supporting members,said wrapping means being mounted both for rotary movement and downwardbodily movement while wrapping, means for rotating said wrappingmembers, means for effecting the downward movement of said wrappingmembers, means for withdrawing `the Wrapped fabric from said fabricsupporting members and for pushing the fabric through the buckle onopposite sides of said center bar, and means for subsequently releasingthe buckle from said buckle supporting means.

2. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising means for positioningand supporting a buckle having a center bar, means for temporarilysupporting a sheet of material in a spaced apart position above theposition of the buckle, means for folding the sheet into the shape of astrap dimensioned for insertion through the buckle, means for pushingthe folded strap through the buckle on opposite sides of said centerbar, and means for releasing the buckle thereafter from the machine.

3. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising means for positioning abuckle having a center cross bar, means for folding a piece of sheetmaterial into the shape of a strap dimensioned for insertion through thebuckle, means for applying pressure to the folded strap at bothsides ofsaid center bar to force the strap through the buckle until its endportions are free and clear of the buckle, and means for releasing thebuckle chine.

with the inserted strap therein from the ma- 4. A'buckle strapassembling machine comprising means for retaining a buckle provided witha centerr bar, means for folding a sheet of material into threesubstantially equal and parallel sections to constitute a strapdimensioned for insertion through the buckle, means for positioning'thefolded strap adjacent the buckle with substantial portions thereofextending on opposite sides of said center bar, means for forcing saidportions of the strap including their ends through the. buckle onopposite sides o f said center bar, and means for discharging theassembled `buckle and strap from the machine.

5. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising means for positioning acenter bar buckle, means for Vfolding a, rpiece of sheet material intothree overlapping -folded sections, and means for rial, meanscooperating with said positioning means for folding said piece intothree overlapping folded sections, and means for inserting the foldedsheet through said buckle on opposite sides of said center bar.

'7. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising means for retaining acenter bar buckle, spaced-apart supports for a sheet of strap material,means for wrapping said sheet under said support, and means engaging theWrapped sheet in its unsupported area between said supports forthrusting said wrapped sheet through the buckle onopposite sides of saidcenter bar.

8. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising movably mountedspaced-apart supports for a sheet of strap material, means for wrappingopposed marginal portions of said sheet under said supports to form thesheet into three folded sections of substantially equal Width, means forretaining a center bar buckle in a position below said supports, andmeans engaging the folded sheet intermediate its ends for thrusting itclown- Wardly through the buckle on opposite sides of said center bar.

9. A buckle strap assembling `machine comprising movably mountedspaced-apart supports for a sheet of strap material, means for wrappingopposed marginal portions of said sheet under said supports to form thesheet into three folded sections ofsubstantially equal width, means forretaining a center bar buckle in aposition below said supports, meansengaging the folded sheet intermediate its ends Yfor thrusting itdownwardly through the buckle on opposite sides of said center bar, andsaid supports being constructed and arranged to move downwardly towardthe buckle during said thrusting action.

10. A buckle strap assembling machine comprising means for retaining acenter bar buckle, spaced-apart supports for a sheet of strap material,means engageable with opposite marginal portions of said sheet forwrapping them under' said supports to form the sheet into three folded,sections of substantially equal width, and a faticare? *bifurcatedvertically reciprocable member for 4engaging the foldedstrapintermediate its .ends `forremoving the strap from said supportsand thrusting it through the buckle on opposite isides of said centerbar.

11. A buckle strap assembling machine com- -prising means for retaininga vcenter bar buckle,

a pair of spaced-apart supports for positioning a sheet of strapmaterial in a horizontal position above the position of said buckle,means engageable with opposite marginal portions of the sheet materialfor wrapping said portions under said vsupport to form the sheet "into astrap of three folded sections, said'wrapping means and sup,-

ports being constructedto retain the folded sheet l during bodilymovement of the strap towardk the offabric supporting plates mountedabove said bed plate having spaced apart opposed edges and a cylinderassociated with each fabric plate, supporting posts in saidcylindersrand springs associated with said-posts operatively connectedwith said fabric plates lto yieldably support Vthemrnormally in a commonhorizontal plane, a wrapping head mounted for vertical movement abovesaidl fabricplates, said head having pairs of pivoted Wrapping memberspositioned Athereon for cooperation with said fabric plates, resilientmeans normally holding said wrappingmembers widely spaced apart, meansoperatively connected with said wrapping members engageable with saidpcylinders during downward movement of said head for rotating lsaidWrapping members under said fabric plates, a plunger movable initiallywith said head and later independently movable,

means for moving the head and plunger down-v Y wardly and means forrestoring them to an elevated position, said wrapping members beingadapted during downward travel to wrap -a piece of fabric about saidplates, said plunger being adapted to push the wrapped fabric throughthe4v buckleY on opposite sides of said bar .and` later 'to ldischargethe 4buckle from `said buckle supporting members.

.13.aA buckle strap assembling machine comprising a base, a pair ofpivoted members mounted on said base for supporting opposite edges cfabuckle provided with a. center bar, resilient @means normally retainingsaid 'members 1 in buckle supporting position, a pair offabricsuplporting plates mounted above said bedplate having spaced apartopposed'edgesand a cylinder Aassociated with each fabric plate,supporting posts `in said cylinders and springs associated withsaidjposts operatively connected .with VVsaid fabric -plates toyieldably support them normally ina common horizontal plane, a wrapping,headv .mounted for vertical movement above said fabric plates,- saidhead having pairs of pivoted wrapi ping members positioned thereon forcooperation *20:

with saidgabric plates, resilient means normally holding vsaid wrappingmembers widely spaced apart, means operatively connected with saidwrapping members engageable with said cylinders during downward movementof said head forrotatingsaid wrapping members, a plunger movable,initially with said head and later independently movable, means formoving the head and plunger downwardly and means for restoring them toAan elevated position, said wrapping members being adapted duringdownwardv travel to wrap apiece ofl fabric about said strap plates, saidplunger being constructed and arranged first to push the wrapped fabricthrough the buckle on opposite sides .of said bar and thereafter toapply a downy i rotating them downwardly.

Ward pressure against said bar to discharge the buckle from said bucklesupporting members by FRANK FERTITTA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of)this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,551,070 Stern Aug. 25, 19251,460,195 Eames et al June 26, 1923 1,057,280' Rosenman 1--- Mar. 25,1913 1,473,955 Eberley Nov. 13, 1923 2,091,175

Alfandre Aug. 24, 1937

